Kecoughtan Embellishes Title By Beating Denbigh

The Warriors (12-2-1, 9-0 Peninsula District) had already clinched their first outright district title since 1993, as well as an Eastern Region tournament berth, with Friday's win over Heritage.

Denbigh (8-4-3, 6-2-1) dominated the first half, but was unable to defend well enough to win the match.

This result, coupled with Menchville's win over Phoebus on Monday, left the Patriots and Menchville tied for second place in the district. By virtue of a draw, Menchville will be the No. 2 seed and Denbigh No. 3 when the district tournament begins Thursday at Gloucester High School.

"This game came down to almost meaning nothing to us today except for a pride game," said Kecoughtan coach John Bailey. "I wanted my kids to come out and play hard and play sharp for the tournament and be ready for regionals. And Denbigh was one of the key matchups for us this season.

"We came out first half real flat, but give credit to Denbigh. They came out with a lot of intensity and they took it to us the first 40 minutes."

Denbigh scored in the 13th minute with Matt Rowell's short-range banger in front of the goal off of an assist from Chris McLean.

With five minutes left in the half, Dan Rose got hold of a bouncer off of a free kick. He pushed it on the ground into the net to make it 2-0.

"We played our style first half," said Denbigh coach Bill Dittmar. "We played intense, we moved the ball well and really put all the pressure on them. Second half, we lost our intensity and they picked it up.

"We certainly played and can with them; we're certainly at the same level they are. But they just had a little bit more heart in the second half."

Kecoughtan, which was the PD soccer power in the late 1980s and early '90s, is trying to re-establish its program. Beaux Thompson's header into the net five minutes into the second half started the Warriors' scoring, and Jesse Hall finished amid a pileup in front of the goal to tie it with 15 minutes remaining.

Kecoughtan's Brian Eubank scored the game-winner on a roller with Denbigh goalkeeper Carlos McWorter on the ground with eight minutes remaining.

"We stepped it up in the second half and we finished it," Eubank said. "It's a great feeling being 9-0 and being district champions, bringing back the dynasty."

Jennifer L. Williams can be reached at 247-4644 or by e-mail at jwilliams@dailypress.com